Welcome to our First Steps toolkit - a resource designed to help parents and carers of autistic children to navigate their journey in the early years. These days there is a staggering amount of information about autism available online, in books or through word of mouth. Much is reliable, some less so - but the sheer volume of information can feel overwhelming, difficult to sift through and hard to verify. This is why Autism Edmonton has created this toolkit - to provide practical and straightforward information in one place that will guide families with young children through their autism journey.
Although every effort has been made to describe this journey accurately, we know that, at times, your own 'journey' may be very different. This toolkit should therefore be considered a 'guide book' rather than a timetable - one that has been designed to be helpful and relevant for your travels, whatever stage you are at. We use the word 'parent' throughout the toolkit but we understand that the range of people caring for a young child is much broader than that. By 'parent' we mean any primary carer of a young child, including adoptive or foster parents.
The sooner you understand your child's needs, the sooner they will have the support they need. Early identification of your child's needs and early intervention (therapies and support strategies) can provide:
It is also a developmental disorder - something a person is born with and which impacts them across their whole life. Together, these categories mean that autism is often referred to as a neurodevelopmental condition. It is something you can't change and there is no cure for autism.
Autism is also a spectrum condition, meaning that people with autism share certain characteristics but are also highly individual in their needs and preferences.
As a parent, it's important to understand not only what autism is defined as, but what being autistic means for your child.
Qualified healthcare professionals use diagnostic tools to make medical assessments as well as the DSM-V, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which outlines the criteria diagnostic professionals use to decide if autism is the right description of the difficulties the person is experiencing.
The DSM-V describes autism as a disorder that impacts a person's communication skills and social interactions, including repetitive behaviours and activities. In addition, the DSM-V says that there should be evidence of 'persistent' difficulties across more than one of the following categories:
It is also common for autistic individuals to have difficulty dealing with and processing sensory information - the information their senses send to their brain. If a sense is 'turned up' (hypersensitivity), they might become overstimulated by situations and environments that can cause sensory overload. In situations like this, if the child is made to remain in the overwhelming environment, it could potentially lead to something known as a 'meltdown'.
A meltdown is defined as 'an intense response to overwhelming situations'. A meltdown happens when someone becomes completely overwhelmed by their current situation and temporarily loses behavioural control. This loss of control can be expressed verbally through shouting, screaming or crying; physically by kicking, lashing out or biting; or in both ways.
If their senses are 'turned down' (hyposensitivity), they may not react to their sensory environment or seem unaffected by sometimes quite dangerous environments. Some autistic children can also be 'sensory seeking', which means they seek out sensory stimulation because they like the sensation of particular sensory inputs.
Repetitive behaviours are also a common feature of autism in children and young people. They can be an essential way of regulating emotion, providing someone with a source of comfort or enjoyment, and enabling them to carry on with their day
The common name for repetitive behaviours in autistic people is 'stimming' - short for 'self-stimulatory behaviour'. Some forms of stimming are barely noticeable, and some are very visible. They vary in frequency and appearance, depending on the person. Stimming can help autistic people regulate their emotions and process their sensory environment.
Stimming is often an autistic person's way of managing a situation and reducing stress; as such, it shouldn't be stopped or reduced. However, stimming can sometimes cause self-injury, for example through headbanging or scratching.
Some forms of repetitive behaviours are often linked to the senses, for example:
Autism is many things but, put simply, it is a different way of viewing and experiencing the world. It is important to understand how autism applies to your child, including their skills and talents. It's also important to encourage and nurture your child in the things they are good at, as well as supporting them with any difficulties they face. As a parent you may automatically do this, but it may be good to emphasise your praise and support.
Because there are different levels of complexity, autism is often described as a spectrum. The term 'autistic spectrum disorder' (ASD) is, in fact, often used. But this suggests that autism is a simple sliding scale like this:
This is misleading. Autism is not a linear scale like this, and we shouldn't place autistic people on a scale based on our assumptions about their abilities. It is more accurate to say that autism might influence some areas of the brain while other areas will be no different from an average, or 'neurotypical', person.
To visualise this more clearly, the spectrum can be thought of as a colour wheel, where characteristics like motor skills and language blend together like the colours of a rainbow:
Everyone is different. Some people have highly developed skills in certain areas, while other people find those same things challenging. In the case of motor skills for instance, there are people who can assemble the fine parts of a watch while others may struggle to thread a needle. But let's assume on our wheel, the watchmaker is shown with the green dot and the person who struggles to thread a needle would be the black dot.
Everyone will have different abilities and skills in different areas of the wheel. For example, one person may be very good at making conversation (language) but may experience sensory overload in loud and crowded spaces. It may be that they function no differently in all other areas. If this was mapped out, it would look like the spots in this wheel:
Another person might be happy in loud crowds but find conversation hard, which would look like this:
Seeing the spectrum in this way illustrates that difficulties in one area don't define a person's skills in all areas. For example, someone who is not good at communicating verbally may just need a different way to communicate. This approach also shows how some autistic individuals might have highly developed skills in certain areas, such as memory, observing fine detail or knowledge of a particular subject, even though their autism may lead to difficulties in other areas.
So, seeing the spectrum in this way shows that an autistic person is not simply a 'little bit' or 'very' autistic. Autistic individuals can have significant strengths while feeling challenged in other areas. Remember that the DSM-V says that a criteria for diagnosing autism is 'persistent difficulties' across more than one area.
Research suggests that four times as many boys are diagnosed with autism as girls. But many think the actual number of autistic girls is likely to be much higher.
The ways in which autism manifests in girls remains under-researched, but we know that girls often display autistic traits in subtler ways than boys.
For example, girls are more likely to take part in imaginative or pretend play, such as playing tea parties with dolls, which is a type of play autistic children may often find difficult. However, in autistic girls, this type of play is often learnt by watching other children and they tend not to go on to develop their own play sequences.
Autistic girls also often have better language skills than autistic boys and their restricted interests may be less obvious (for example, animals or people such as TV characters, rather than objects).
Girls are less likely than boys to show sensory-seeking, repetitive behaviours. There is also research that suggests, perhaps because of greater societal expectations, that many girls try to mask their difficulties, for example by copying the behaviour and appearance of other girls.
Autistic girls can often need a lot of downtime to recover after socialising, as masking and compensating can be very tiring.
All of these aspects can make it harder to identify autistic traits in girls, especially if they don't have additional challenges such as a language delay. It is often said that assessment and diagnostic tools are biased towards boys, in part because most research into autism and how to diagnose it has focused on boys. When a GP, teacher or health worker sees a girl who is socially different, they may be less inclined to wonder whether it could be autism than in the case of a boy. Other difficulties, such as eating disorders or anxiety, may be diagnosed, while autism is overlooked. This has meant that, in many cases, girls do not receive assessments, diagnosis or support until they are much older.
There is increasing awareness about autism in girls and women but, if you have a daughter with suspected or confirmed autism, you may have to work a little harder at making sure your daughter's difficulties are recognised and supported by you, your family, friends and others in her childcare or educational environment.
Your child's speech, language and social skills are a useful indicator of their developmental progress. Speech and communication development is not just about using more and more words. It is also about understanding how words are used, for example that '...where is mom?...' is a question requiring a response. It is also about how children interact with the people around them; such as asking for things, telling you what they want, and forming relationships with other children and adults.
By the time they are two years old most children will have begun to understand and use simple words that they hear often, such as 'Mommy', 'Daddy', 'ball' and 'teddy'. They will start to take an interest in naming or understanding parts of the body, such as the eyes, head, and toes. They will begin to understand that words are linked to activities - for instance, that 'yummy' and 'lunch' are linked to eating, or that 'bedtime' and 'tired' are linked to sleeping. They will have probably started to use gestures such as pointing or shaking their head to mean 'no'.
Between two and three years old, they will start to take an interest in what other children are doing. They may want to join in and will be aware of ideas such as 'sharing' and 'playing together'.
If your child does not do these things, it does not necessarily mean that they are autistic, but it may suggest that they need a little help and support in these areas. Understanding where they might need extra support will make it easier to provide it yourself or to seek professional help.
Use our "Understanding Your Child" checklist to help you understand your child's development. The checklist includes a range of statements relating to speech and communication milestones in children aged two years or older. If you find yourself answering 'no' to most of the statements, you should talk to a speech and language pathologist or your GP. Regardless of how old your child is, it could indicate autism but may also suggest other forms of speech delay.
In most cases the journey begins by having a conversation wherein you raise your concerns about your child's development with your GP, which leads to them making a referral to the Glenrose Autism Clinic - either the Infant and Preschool Assessment and Outreach Service (IPAS) or the School Age Neurodevelopment Clinic (SNAC)
Some families opt to have their child assessed at a private clinic to speed up the process. A private assessment can happen rather quickly - in a matter of weeks, but can be rather costly. If you have an extended health plan, your package could cover much of the cost if you have psychology, speech and occupational therapy benefits.
An autism assessment can be important for several reasons, regardless of whether or not it leads to a formal diagnosis of autism. It can give you key information about your child's development and behaviour. It can identify your child's strengths and areas where they may have difficulties. It can also help you to access support for your child's development before they start school and throughout their education.
Assessment during the early years can be beneficial because early support is linked to better outcomes in youth and adult years. An assessment will enable your child to access specific support, including therapy or extra help in school or daycare.
If your child is not diagnosed as autistic, they may have specific difficulties that suggest other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, attachment disorder, epilepsy, dyslexia, dyspraxia or a wide range of physical health issues. Autism is under an umbrella of wider neurodevelopmental, developmental and learning differences/disabilities. Your child may require further assessments and diagnoses, so this information will still be helpful, as you:
If you have a concern that your child is autistic, the first step is a conversation with your GP or pediatrician.
The professional you speak to will have a few questions regarding why you think your child is autistic, or your concern that your child is not meeting the developmental milestones. At this stage, you might feel that, by highlighting your child's struggles, you are being overly negative and ignoring their achievements. Remember that while your child has a wide range of achievements, big and small, the focus of assessments and medical appointments is generally: 'What is wrong and how can I help?'
In order to refer your child for an autism diagnosis, the doctor you speak to needs to understand the cause of your concerns so that they can evaluate whether your child needs an assessment.
To do this, they may ask you what you have observed in terms of your child's behaviour or accomplishments. Since this can be a stressful conversation, and your observations may have happened over a long period of time, it is best to write down all the relevant details in advance. This information will help the doctor get a clear picture of how your child is developing.
Since autistic individuals process things differently, a GP or pediatrician's questions will mainly focus on any signs your child is displaying in relation to:
The GP or pediatrician will want to find out how these compare with the milestones children would commonly be meeting at their age. The doctor may also ask about the pregnancy, your health and whether there is a history of autism in the family
There are a few things you can do to help yourself at this meeting:
What to bring to the appointment:
GP or pediatrician appointments are usually very short and there is probably a lot you will want to discuss. It might be useful to book a double appointment, if possible, to make sure you have enough time to talk about your concerns.
Whoever you speak to may say that you should wait and see; that your child is still growing and developing and may grow out of things you've noticed. They could be right, as all children develop differently. As a parent, however, trust your instincts. If you don't think that sounds right, speak to someone else who knows your child or knows about autism. If your instincts are telling you that there is cause for concern with your child's development and your doctor is not on the same page as you, you may need to seek out a different doctor or seek out a private assessment if you have the financial means to do so.
A referral may lead to an assessment and, eventually, an appointment for a formal diagnosis. Receiving a formal diagnosis can bring with it a variety of feelings, from relief to anxiety and everything in between. The most important thing is to remind yourself that these appointments are a step forward.
An assessment appointment may be the first time your child will have been required to be present.
The team of professionals doing the assessment will probably have allowed a set amount of time for the appointment and it is likely that there will be another family coming in after you. But don't be rushed. Make sure you say everything you want to say and ask the questions you want to ask.
You may be referred for further assessments, including blood tests where there may be other health concerns, but it is likely that you will be notified of the outcome of the diagnosis at the end of your appointment.
There are multiple tools that might be used during a diagnostic assessment. These generally collect two kinds of information:
Diagnostic tools help professionals to collect information in a consistent way. Current tools include rating scales with questions the professional uses to score your child, based on their observations, discussions with you and other evidence, such as information provided by your child's nursery.
Some rating scales also include sections for you, or others who know you child well, to complete.
Other tools include: a form of a 'structured' or 'semi-structured' interview in which the professional asks you prepared questions; and tools that look at how your child engages in specific tasks.
Whichever tool is used, the professional conducting the assessment will have received specific training in its use.
A single tool is not enough in itself to provide a diagnosis of autism. Rather, it is used along with information from other sources, such as discussions with you, to help the professional come to a conclusion about your child's diagnosis.
If other assessments have already been done, you may be offered therapeutic support for your child during the wait for an autism assessment as well as after a diagnosis. The two therapies you are most likely to encounter are speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.
Autistic children interact and communicate differently. They may find it difficult to communicate using words or to listen to and understand what people say. They may have difficulties understanding the non-verbal rules of communication. They may find it difficult to read emotions or understand when to speak and when to listen.
Speech and language therapists work with you to:
Because autistic children experience the world in a unique way, they may use their body in a variety of ways to understand how different things feel: they may spin around, rock back and forth, touch things, smell objects or place lots of things in their mouths. They may also get easily overwhelmed by busy environments and run away or hide to escape unfamiliar places that to them seem scary.
These reactions could mean that your child may be trying to communicate something to you, or they might be trying their best to cope with a situation or difficult environment.
Occupational therapists work with you to identify these traits and develop solutions to make daily life easier for you and your child. This might include:
There are other types of support that are available that you could seek out privately or that may be covered under your contract if you have one with Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD). Some people choose private therapy because they may be frustrated with the long wait for an assessment and diagnosis or the long wait to be approved for a contract with FSCD.
When seeking out private therapies, it is important to remember that there is no cure for autism, so claims about cures are false and some of the products and activities that you might find could be harmful to your child.When professionals talk about autistic children, developmental delays or special educational needs, they often refer to them as having 'additional needs'.
In many ways, as a parent of an autistic child you also have additional needs. As well as bringing up a family, you have to learn about autism, navigate a 'system', be an advocate for your child, and deal with your emotions and those of the people close to you. There is a lot to do and a lot to think about.
In this section of the toolkit, we cover areas such as looking after yourself, supporting your family and looking at ways in which you can be the best help for your child whatever stage you are at - whether you are waiting for an assessment or have had a formal diagnosis.
Your journey is likely to be a long one and the build-up to a child's diagnosis is something you have most likely been anticipating for quite a while. Nevertheless, it is a momentous event. Over the course of the journey there will be times when you need to take stock of your emotions and adjust to the possibility, or the confirmation, that your child has a lifelong condition.
Some people might very quickly see the positives about a diagnosis and will feel positive and hopeful. Some people may take longer to get there. In the next section, Clinical Psychologist Giulia Maccarini reflects on dealing with difficult emotions.
Every stage of the journey can feel hard. All the steps from referral to diagnosis can be full of doubts. You may experience periods of uncertainty and anxiety. And getting an official diagnosis can be extremely hard; learning that your child is autistic will affect not just them but your entire family and those close to you. Right from the beginning your role as a parent/carer will change and that can lead to a range of emotions and reactions. However you are feeling right now, it can help to remember that getting an early assessment will enable your child to receive early intervention.
To some parents the prospect of autism is a shock. To others it is the confirmation they needed, while still others experience denial. It is important to understand that all of these feelings - including denial - are valid.
Parents-to-be often idealise their child from the moment they find out they are having a baby, some even before that. They imagine what they will look like, what characteristics they will inherit, what their likes and dislikes will be, whether they will have friends, learn other languages, or travel the world.
Some parents of autistic children have described feeling as though everything they had hoped for and imagined for their child had been taken away. For some parents, the process might trigger a sense of grief; a feeling that they have lost the child they dreamed of and that another child has been given to them. This sense of grief can come with a range of other feelings.
You might feel sad. And feeling sad is normal. Allowing yourself to feel sad can help you to grow and understand. You might also feel angry, and anger is also a natural part of the process. Expressing those feelings is a healthy way to better understand yourself and how autism impacts you as an individual and as a parent.
The journey through autism in the early years can also feel very lonely, especially since parents can have different reactions. A couple raising a child together can have different views and feelings around the diagnosis. Having different perspectives can make you feel isolated from one another and overwhelmed. Don't deny or ignore your feelings. Anger, sadness and loneliness are all part of the path to acceptance and part of what will make you more resilient.
Resilience is defined as 'the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties'. The act of building resilience comes from focusing on your feelings, practising acceptance and learning to get up when you fall. It's important to shift your focus from thinking to doing. In times of adversity there is nothing to be gained by feelings of blame or regret. Focus instead on what you have to do; having a purpose can motivate you to persevere through the process before and after diagnosis.
Having a network of people who understand and support you will help increase your resilience. Knowing that you are not alone, and being brave enough to ask those around you for help, is a more efficient use of your energies and can motivate you to persevere despite the hardships.
Caring for an autistic child can be both emotionally and physically draining. Finding space to care for your own personal needs is not easy, and might take time, but is vital for your health. If you've ever travelled by plane, you will have heard the safety instructions at least once: 'Put on your own oxygen mask first, before helping others.' You need to follow the same principle; you can't help anyone else without helping yourself first. It often doesn't take much - sometimes just going for a walk will give you the space to breathe so you can begin to feel like yourself again.
When difficult days happen, we tend to focus solely on what made it hard and we rarely reflect on the positive things we've achieved or that also happened during the day. Today might not have been the best but make a point of identifying the good things and celebrating the positives. Write a short list of what was good that day. You'll be surprised by what you find.
You don't need to strive for acceptance straight away. It's OK to have negative feelings towards a possible or confirmed diagnosis. Difficult emotions can't, and shouldn't, be buried. These thoughts will always try to get in and they are likely to be persistent. But, in the same way we can choose not to answer a ringing phone, we can - with practice - choose not to let certain thoughts take hold.
There's no perfect mother or father, but every parent is doing what they can to help their child.
Keep in mind that you are more than just a parent of an autistic child. Exercise, go out for a meal, read a book, watch a movie or take up a hobby. Look after yourself so that you can look after your child.
If you have trouble working through your feelings and emotions, seek the help of your partner, your parents, your friends, your GP, a support group, a psychologist or a professional in counselling. There is no shame in asking for help to cope.
A final thought. There is a popular folktale in which a group of a wise advisers tell a king that, whatever problems, or triumphs he faces, he should always remember that 'this too shall pass'. It's true. Bad moments will pass, and good moments will too. The uncertainty, the difficult moments, the much-celebrated victories - all will come and go. Events and emotions are like waves. We can't stop them from coming, but they always roll over us and, just as in the king's story, they too shall pass.
Telling your family and friends that your child may be autistic can be difficult. Some family members might dismiss your concerns, suggesting 'they'll just grow out of it', or that your child's behaviours and actions are something to do with the way you parent. Some family and friends will be incredibly supportive and will want to know what they can do to help. Reactions can vary widely, but it's important to share.
It might help to keep people informed about where you are on the journey. You could start by explaining that although your child may not have had an assessment or diagnosis yet, you and the professionals that you have spoken to are concerned about your child's development and feel it's important to check things out. It can be helpful to explain what you have been through - how you (or someone else) became concerned, that you spoke about it with your GP or another professional, and that they suggested a referral for an assessment.
Talking about a possible diagnosis of autism might help your family and friends to understand that there is a reason for some of your child's behaviours. They may even have noticed some of these behaviours already; for instance, that your child only likes to play with one thing, doesn't speak or doesn't like certain textures or sensations.
If those around you understand why your child displays these behaviours, they might stop worrying about them, or having unhelpful opinions about them, and begin to accept and work with them.
You should be prepared for people who won't, or can't, understand or accept what is happening. Some friends and family members may say that you are being overcautious or that your child's development is just a bit delayed. This may simply be the view of someone who doesn't live with your child on a day-to-day basis. It may take them longer to come to terms with what you are telling them about your child.
If someone from a health team or your child's school or daycare has suggested some tips or strategies to support your child's development, consider sharing these with your family and friends. You can achieve more if everyone is working towards the same goals.
Everyone around you can help you to support your child. Encourage your friends and family members to learn about autism and keep believing in what you are doing. Despite any differences you may have, try to focus on the love you all share for your child.
To help you to start a conversation with your family and friends and suggest ways in which they can help and support you.
If your child has siblings, it is important that they feel involved and informed.
Many of the challenges that parents or carers of young children face, such as weaning or getting a child into a sleep routine, are often more challenging when your child has additional needs or a disability. Many parents of autistic children report that the areas that they most want help with are:
There are people and services who can help with these challenges. You can look for an Occupational Therapist with experience with these challenges and support may be available through your FSCD contract.
Many of the characteristics of autism relate to communication difficulties, so it is important to support your child's communication development. Here are 10 tips to help you.
All young children enjoy and benefit from play. Autistic children are no different. But play is more than just fun. It is very important developmentally. It is the way in which every child explores the world and makes sense of it as they grow and learn. Play also helps children to develop important physical and social skills.
Sometimes, play can look different in young children who are autistic. They may be interested in only a very small range of toys - possibly only one or two - or they might do the same thing over and over. Your child might not use toys in the way you would expect them to. For example, they may be interested only in spinning the wheels on a toy car rather than pushing it along the floor.
Autism can affect the development of social skills and communication skills. Play provides a useful opportunity to help nurture and develop some of these skills. By helping your child to play, you can also help them to develop their imaginations, as well as their social and communication skills. For example, they can learn about taking turns, asking for help and making choices.
Exploratory play: learning about the world and your body by exploring different textures, shapes, and sizes.
You can help your child's exploratory play by joining in and encouraging them to explore a wide range of shapes, textures, and sensations, including water, sand or foam.
Interactive play: playing with toys that require your child to do something such as press a button, to make something happen.
Your child may work out how to use the toy themselves or you may need to help by showing them. Either way, be sure to praise your child when they get it right, and encourage them to explore other toys that use the same cause-and-effect principle. This will help them to understand that their actions have effects and give them a sense of control in their play.
Cause-and-effect toys are also a good way to teach your child how to ask for help and to play by taking turns. For example, you could take turns pressing a button to make something pop up and then take turns pushing it back down again. To help communicate these ideas, say simple things like 'Mommy help' or 'Daddy's turn'.
Toy play: playing with toys as they were designed to be used, for example throwing a ball or pushing a toy car.
Try not to overwhelm your child with too many choices. Offer two or three toys at a time and let them choose which one to play with.
Join in with your child. Sit in front of them so that you can watch each other use the toy. Join in the play, rather than instructing your child. Begin by copying what they do with the toy, then ask for your turn and introduce a new action. If your child likes squeezing a ball, do the same but throw it in the air or roll it towards you before squeezing it.
If your child doesn't copy you, encourage them by saying, 'Your turn to roll the ball.' Or guide your child's hand in the rolling action.
Use frequent praise in clear language. For example, say, 'Good throw. The ball went a long way!' You can use rewards such as blowing bubbles or something else that your child enjoys.
Look out for signs that you child is losing interest or getting frustrated. Before this happens, try to end on a positive note, with your child having accomplished something.
Constructive play: building or making things - such as building a tower out of bricks, drawing a picture, or completing a jigsaw puzzle.
Start by showing your child what to do. If your child struggles with a task, break it down into smaller tasks. For example, if your child is struggling to complete a jigsaw, you could encourage them just to do the final piece, before gradually introducing more pieces to complete the jigsaw. That way, things stay more positive because your child always succeeds.
Start with simpler tasks and make them more challenging as your child's skills develop, such as jigsaws with more pieces, or using smaller bricks for a tower.
Physical play: physical activities such as running, jumping, or dancing that use the whole body help your child build muscle and improve coordination.
Physical play gives children the experience of interacting with other people and objects in their surroundings. Playing outside gives your child the chance to explore the natural environment, have adventures, discover their physical limits, and build self-confidence.
When your child is outside, they probably have more space and freedom for big movements, like running, jumping, kicking, and throwing. Such activities are good for your child's health, fitness, and physical development. Outdoor play can also mean more mess - and more mess often means more fun.
Pretend play: pretending and using your imagination during play. Examples include dressing up or pretending to have a picnic with dolls and teddy bears.
Using their imagination during play helps your child develop language, communication, and social skills. This type of play is often delayed in autistic children, but many children can and ultimately do develop pretend play.
Social play skills usually develop and evolve gradually from playing alone (solitary play) through to playing and cooperating with others. The ability to play with others can be particularly challenging for autistic children.
The four key stages of social play were developed by American sociologist Mildred Parton Newhall in the 1920s and are still widely used to describe children's progression through different and more complex types of play. Whatever stage your child is at, there are things you can do to help them move on to the next stage:
Solitary play: when your child is alone and is playing independently. Whatever stage your child is at, they're likely to want to spend time playing by themselves. It's OK if your child wants to play alone some of the time.
Parallel play: when children play alongside each other, often separately from other children but perhaps watching them or mimicking their actions. This type of play is seen as a transition stage to more social and cooperative play. You can help to promote parallel play by encouraging your child to play alongside other children, including siblings and cousins, or through 'play dates'.
Associative play (playing and sharing with others): the stage at which children begin to interact with other children, often through sharing, taking turns or coming up with ideas or suggestions. Encourage your child to begin incorporating these things - for example by encouraging them to swap toys or do something similar to another child, such as ride a bike if the other child is using a scooter.
Cooperative play: involves games and activities such as hide-and- seek where there might be rules or when you need to work together to make something like a fort or a sandcastle.
Cooperative play can be complicated and usually involves communication skills. The social rules involved in this type of play can be difficult for children with autism. You can help your child by using clear and simple instructions. For example, you could say something like: 'First, you hide somewhere in the garden. Then Jo counts to 10. Then Jo comes to find you. When Jo finds you, it will be your turn to count to 10 while Jo hides. Then you have to find Jo.'
It can also help to explain the rules of the game using visual support such as pictures or 'social stories'. Making games more visual can also help. If you are organizing a game of tag, for example, you can mark the person who is to be chased with a scarf or a piece of cloth.
Play is a useful tool to help you build skills in other areas. For example, you might focus on communication skills by asking your child to describe what is going on in the game or encouraging them to choose what to do next. You can use play to develop social skills such as taking turns by offering praise and simple rewards.
Here are some tips for using play in this way:
There is often still a lack of awareness about autism in society. This can lead to uninformed people misjudging autism as 'naughty behaviour'. This in turn can have a big impact on your emotions if your child begins to struggle in a public place.
As a parent, you may feel a range of difficult emotions such as shame, guilt, anger, and helplessness, if you're out in public with your child and they are struggling to cope. It can be difficult to feel like a good parent if your child is having a meltdown due to sensory overload, or 'stimming' to self-regulate and soothe themselves. It's harder still if you feel like others are judging you.
People may be better able to understand your child, and how they can help, if you share information about them.
Your child has the right to be integrated into the community and to experience life outside the house, even if their actions and behaviours look different.
While it's true that certain locations or events might prove challenging for your child, there are things that can help both of you to prepare for these situations and to conquer life outside the home. These include:
Your child might feel more secure and less anxious if they already know what to expect at a new event or in an unfamiliar setting. A simple and useful technique to prepare your child for what will happen, and who will be involved, is to use visual support. The next section covers what visual support is and how to use it.
Consistency and routine are important to autistic children. The world can be a very unpredictable place for young children on the spectrum and this can be frightening and can create anxiety. Knowing what is going to happen, and when, can help young children to manage this anxiety.
Visual support is about using pictures or real objects to help your child understand what is happening or anticipate what is going to happen. At its simplest, you can use real objects, for example: show your child a cup when asking if they'd like a drink; or photographs, pictures on your phone, line drawings or symbols if you're talking about going to a shop or someone visiting your home.
Using visual support gives your child another way to communicate while their speech is developing. Visual support can help your child understand:
There are several methods of using visual support, including Now and Next boards, Time Timers, visual timetables and 'social stories'.
Now and Next boards are a simple visual support to help a child move from one activity to another. There are two columns - one for 'Now' and one for 'Next', with space for you to draw a simple picture or symbol or stick a photo or image under each.
How does it work?
The concept of time can be very difficult for any child to understand. When you say 'five more minutes', a child has no way of knowing what that really means. A Time Timer is a commercially available type of clock designed to show the passage of time. As the time ticks down and the red disk gradually disappears, your child can clearly see the passing of time, have a better idea of how much time they have left and know clearly when something has finished.
For example, if you use the Time Timer to tell your child they can watch TV for 10 minutes, you could say, 'So, when the red stops moving and the beep sounds, TV time is finished.' This provides both a clear instruction and a way to help your child 'visualize' the amount of time they have and when the activity is meant to finish. It helps them anticipate that the activity is coming to an end and provides them with a concrete 'finish time'.
Time Timers can be used in a variety of situations, including to support your child when they are brushing their teeth, having a bath or playing with a particular toy.
This can be helpful in supporting your child to transition from one activity to the next. Using a Time Timer also promotes positive routines and can help your child's self-regulation skills, as they are less likely to be upset if an activity suddenly has to stop.
These work a little like a Now and Next board, but cover longer sequences of activities. A timetable can be created for the day, for the week or even the year if you have a particular event, like a holiday, that you need to prepare your child for. A visual schedule, using pictures and symbols, helps your child to know what is going to happen and can help with the transition from one activity to another: 'Today we are going to drive to the supermarket to buy food. We will then drive to Grandma's. We will then have lunch. We will then drive home. You can then play. We will have our snack...' - and so on.
Be guided by your child's needs and preferences; some children find it reassuring to see the whole day at once, while others find that overwhelming. At first, it may be helpful to 'start small', with a few activities at a time, and then to gradually extend the length of the sequence you use as you and your child become familiar with the system.
If you are using a visual timetable:
Social Stories are another form of visual support. They were created in the 1980s by Carol Gray, a teacher in the USA working with children with special needs. Carol had observed that many of her pupils struggled with unpredictability. She began sketching out storyboards for her autistic students that broke down a complex chain of events into simple steps that could be explained and rehearsed.
To find out more about Carol Gray and Social Stories, visit https://carolgraysocialstories.com/
The best way to describe how visual support works, how these techniques are used and how they may benefit you is through a parent's experience. On the next page, a parent shares her experience of using visual support with her autistic child.
Our story started when our son was two years old, and we began to suspect that something was not right. After all the usual appointments and waiting lists, he got his diagnosis of autism at the age of five.
The period between knowing that something is not right and then receiving the formal diagnosis is a very difficult period for us parents, as we don't receive much support or information on how to interact with and help our child. For the child this is a very critical period as well because, at this age, they are beginning to learn to build trust, establish relationships and develop a sense of the complicated social aspects of our human behaviour that we take for granted.
My son was three years old when I was introduced to the concept of 'social stories' by a speech and language therapist. My first reaction was to laugh it off. I remember telling her: “He barely has any speech, he can't sit in one place for more than two minutes, I don't know what his language comprehension skills are, and you want me to show him images and tell him stories. How is that going to help with his meltdowns? How is it going to help me manage his behaviour once we are out of the house?”
Her explanation has stuck in my mind forever: “When you leave the house to go shopping, you know in your head when you are going, which shop you will go to, how you get there, what exactly you want to buy and what time you are coming back home. An autistic mind needs this confirmation 10 times more than your mind. They need to know the 'what next' at all times. If they don't, then the sensation of anxiety begins to build: 'What is going to happen next? Am I going to fall in a black hole!' This heightened anxiety then puts their nervous system into the 'fight or flight' mode and that's when you have meltdowns, sensory overload, and other behaviour problems.”
Then came my next concern - I don't have the tools or time to create social stories for every situation. I don't have easy access to a computer or a printer, or the time to search for images. To these concerns, she replied: “Can you draw? I am sure you can draw stick figures. All you need is a pencil and a notebook.” I had no more excuses then! So began my first experience of creating 'social stories' and experiencing the magic that followed.
The first time I put it to the test was when I was travelling with my son all by myself. Airports were particularly tricky. He did not like waiting in the queues, he would have a meltdown when they would take his favourite toy and put it on the scanning belt, and he would refuse to sit down in the waiting area. On the plane he would keep standing on the seat, saying “home, home” every half an hour and crying. I would just wait for him to fall asleep. So, on this particular journey I tried using a 'social story' to explain to him what was going to happen and what was expected of him.
I took him through the story a couple of times before we left. Then, as the situations unfolded, I took him through it again so that he could anticipate what was happening next. It was magic! He waited patiently in the queue and did not cry. Instead, he counted up to 10 with me while his toy went through the scanner and sat in the plane seat and was much calmer throughout the journey.
From then on 'social stories' became my son's crutch. I use the comparison of a crutch because, as a sceptical mum, I quickly began to question what would happen if my son got so used to 'social stories' that he refused to function without them. My speech and language therapist had the answer: “When you break a leg, you use a walking stick or a crutch until your leg heals and you gain the strength and confidence to start walking. It will be the same for your son. Once he gains trust and understanding, and develops his speech, his reliance on 'social stories' will automatically fade away or you will be able to use them in a more casual way.”
I was no longer worried about taking my son out or going to social events. All I had to do was to know what would happen while we were out or at an event, and draw a simple 'social story' to explain the steps and take him through it before the event.
We survived so many tricky situations with the help of 'social stories': eye tests at the hospital, his first haircut, weekly shopping trips and his first day at school. I also started to use 'social stories' to prompt appropriate behaviour.
The things I find important to remember when using visual support are:
The beauty of using visual support was that it helped us work towards building trust. It made my son feel so much more in control. As a result, he was calmer and became more receptive to things changing unexpectedly. All I had to do was say “oops'', change the drawing quickly and show him. Gradually, I moved to just verbally explaining to him what would happen and then, if there was a sudden change, he would just shout out: “Oops, the swimming pool is shut - we will now go to the park.” There were no meltdowns!
I know it is not easy, but it is all about trial and error. 'Social stories' worked for me and I hope they work for you as well. As parents we need to plan a little better and to anticipate things in advance so that we can help our child feel more in control. It is possible.
A home-based educational and support program for families who have a child, aged birth to 3 1/2 years with two or more developmental delays and / or a diagnosed disability. Provides support, education, and information to families of children with two or more developmental concerns or a diagnosed disability, in many settings and locations; family's home, playgroups, and in the community. Parents should call if they have concerns or questions about their child's:
Looking for childcare can feel daunting, as you may be preparing to leave your autistic child in someone else's care for the first time. However, good quality childcare is beneficial for all children and will support your child's development, independence, and social skills. Most families choose a daycare close to their home or place of employment, make sure to consider how well the childcare setting can accommodate any additional needs your child has. If an aide is needed to ensure the safety and supervision of the child and to have the child included in activities, FSCD can provide this additional support. Please see the section on FSCD to find out how to apply for this service. Please note that aide services will not be provided by FSCD if the child is eligible to receive the same service from another government department, such as Alberta Education or Alberta Health.
The FSCD program is based on the Family Support for Children with Disabilities Act (FSCD Act) and the FSCD Regulation. We work in partnership with eligible families of children with disabilities to help parents:
Services are tailored to meet your family's situation by working together with you to:
Visit their website for more information: https://www.alberta.ca/fscd.aspx
How to apply for FSCD - visit the My Alberta Supports site and fill out an application online: https://myalbertasupports.alberta.ca/CitizenPortal/application.do
Alberta Education provides funding for preschool-aged children who are 3 or turning 3 by December 31, up to the age of 5, through Program Unit Funding (PUF). PUF is provided from September to June in the child's preschool or daycare setting. This funding provides educational support and a multi-disciplinary team to work on goals which are guided by an Individualized Program Plan (IPP). There are several PUF providers throughout Edmonton and area, and you can choose which style of PUF services best meet your child's needs. Some of the providers have site-based programs which are a classroom setting where all the children in the class will be there because of their funding. There are other agencies that provide PUF services and they bring their supports to the preschool or daycare that your child is already in so that your child is integrated with typically developing peers. PUF spots fill up quickly, so it is best to look into the programs in February and March so that your child can be registered for September when the programs start. You can see a list of PUF providers on our Next Steps Guide
Through the Specialized Learning Support Grant, your child will be able to attend a regular school classroom with support. Your child should receive an Individualized Program Plan and the supports that they require to be successful. You should speak to the administration team at your child's designated school within your school district and work with the team to set up supports for your child.
Edmonton Public Schools has an Interactions Program that is available at several schools throughout the district. The Interactions program supports autistic students. Autism can impact how people understand what they see, hear and sense. This lifelong disability can result in difficulties in communication, social relationships, behaviour, or learning. Although some autistic students achieve at grade level, many have uneven or delayed achievement. Please see their website for more information: https://www.epsb.ca/programs/interactions/ Edmonton Catholic School Division has the GIST Program- The Guided Intervention Supported Transition Classroom supports children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This program is available at St. Gabriel School. Please see their website for more information: https://www.ecsd.net/8217/page/4866/gist
If your child has an autism diagnosis, they will likely receive support through Alberta Education either through Program Unit Funding (PUF) if they are preschool-aged or through the Specialized Learning Support Grant if they are in kindergarten through to Grade 12. If your child is receiving support through Alberta Education, there should be an IPP (or IEP, ISP) in place to guide the teacher and learning team with goals and outcomes for the current school year. The IPP should include any accommodations or supports that will be put in place to help the child or student be successful.
You should be kept directly involved and updated during this process, with your views, and those of your child, sought throughout.
Every child - including those with autism - has the right to mainstream education. Some children with more complex needs and disabilities attend specialized programs designed specifically to meet their needs. In the next section we will go through the different options and strategies on choosing a school.
In the Edmonton area, usually children must attend their designated or neighbourhood school and the school will put appropriate support plans in place for the child. If you are moving to Edmonton, it is advisable that you so some research to figure out which program or school is the best fit for your child. Some schools in the Edmonton Public School system have an autism specific program called Interactions. You can find out more about this program by visiting their website: https://www.epsb.ca/programs/specializedprogramming/interactions/
They also have other specialized programs that may be of interest to you and you can find out more by visiting here: https://www.epsb.ca/programs/specializedprogramming/
If you are choosing Interactions or another specialized program, please know that these programs fill up quickly and you will need to contact the school in January or February to look at a spot for the upcoming school year.
Visit. Most schools have an open house, usually in early spring. Check the schools' web pages for open house information or contact the schools directly to ask. Draw up a list of schools to visit and go to as many as you can (you may need to book, so check first). This is your chance to get a feel for the school, speak to students and staff, and see the classrooms, playground, and facilities. If you have missed the open house opportunity, call the school to book an appointment for a tour to get a feel for the environment and the staff and ask questions about how the school will be able to support your child.
Once you have decided on a school, see if you and your child can meet the teacher before school starts so that your child can get to know them and become familiar with the classroom before all the other students will be there. If there are accommodations that you think could help your child in the classroom environment, be sure to suggest them to the teacher so they can be implemented before the first day of school.
Complete and submit your School Admissions Application form. Make sure that the school has copies of your child's diagnosis and relevant reports so that the school has as much information as possible in regard to your child's needs so that they can implement the best support.
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Autism Edmonton is a safe space that welcomes and supports all members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
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Autism Edmonton is proud to have nexGen as our official print partner! From brochures to business cards, to our beautiful annual reports, we are so delighted to have them as our go to for printed material. Support from them ensures more funds are spent on our vital programs!
Affordable Storage has been supporting Autism Edmonton since 2020. With the many programs we run we have a never ending need for storage solutions. The team at Affordable Storage has graciously donated to us one of their units at their Stadium facility. We are beyond grateful for this continued partnership and support!
Promotion of the spirit of Christmas caring and sharing in the City of Edmonton. To provide a festive meal and coordination of Christmas giving to Edmontonian’s in need. Autism Edmonton has partnered up with the Christmas Bureau to help ensure those who want to celebrate the festive season are able to with out the financial barriers. Autism Edmonton helps support our membership in organizing hampers and assisting our members in filling out the application.
Autism and/or Intellectual Disability Knowledge Exchange Network (AIDE Canada) is a tool to connect members of our community to the information and resources that they need. They deliver credible, reliable, and evidence-informed resources in an unbiased and accessible way. AIDE Canada is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and by in-kind contributions from our hub network. Autism Edmonton has collaborated on many resources’ information guides with other agencies that are on the AIDE Canada website and are free to access for anyone.
We partner with our local school boards to provide training, resources, and supports for autistic students, teachers and support workers.
The Costco story begins in 1976, when entrepreneur Sol Price introduced a groundbreaking retail concept in San Diego, California. Price Club was the world’s first membership warehouse club, a place where efficient buying and operating practices gave members access to unmatched savings.
At first, Price Club was limited exclusively to business members, who could purchase a wide range of supplies and wholesale items. Jim Sinegal, the executive vice-president of merchandising, distribution and marketing, was instrumental in fine-tuning the merchandise and marketing strategies, helping to turn Price Club into a success story that changed the face of retailing worldwide.
Seven years later, Jim Sinegal channeled his expertise into co-founding Costco Wholesale with Jeff Brotman, and together they opened the first warehouse in Seattle, Washington in 1983.
Over the next decade, both Price Club and Costco Wholesale continued to innovate and grow, and in 1993, the two mega-retailers merged, creating a gifted leadership team that soon made Costco the world’s most successful warehouse club.
Today, as the company evolves, it stays true to the qualities that helped attract and retain millions of loyal members around the globe:
Costco serves more than 10 million members across Canada, and is one of the nation’s largest retailers, averaging CDN$25 billion in sales per year.
Our blueprints are as unique as each of our team members. We are continuously striving to do better, be better, and hold ourselves to the highest standard of excellence in both residential and commercial sectors.
For us, this means that from concept to completion, we adopt a 360-degree approach for every project. This ensures that our team always has a clear flight path and a solid plan of execution.
Thank you for completing the intake form for the Autism Housing Network of Alberta (AHNA).
Our Housing Coordinator will review your submission, and you will receive a response in 2-3 business days.
We want to express that participation in this program is completely voluntary. Autism Edmonton is not a housing provider, and your intake into the housing program does not guarantee that you will secure housing.
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation® is an independent registered charity that supports the well-being of youth who face obstacles to reaching their full potential. With support from TELUS, 100% of your donations give youth opportunities to develop confidence, skills and a sense of belonging.
Autism Edmonton and the Glenrose have created a program together called “Family Navigators”. Once a family has received a diagnosis from the Glenrose, the diagnostic team will send the family’s contact information to Autism Edmonton so that we can assist them in finding resources and supports within the community that meet their current and future needs.
Since 2018 5 Artists 1 Love has been inviting Autism Edmonton to participate in the 5 Artists 1 Love concert & art show. Inclusion is something that holds near and dear to both 5 Artists and Autism Edmonton. We are fortunate to support them yearly at their event and join them in celebrating Black History Month.
This is from their founder Darren Jordan “Patients diagnosed with ASD have always been part of the demographic I work with. Approximately nine years ago my son Quincy, was diagnosed with ASD at the age of three years old. In the twinkling of an eye, I went from service provider to service recipient. While on my break at the hospital I work at I made an impromptu call to Autism Edmonton. The person I reached on the other end was excellent. She listened then proceeded to impart some general information. At one point she stopped herself then began to give me the straight goods on how to navigate,” The System”. She gave us a clearer direction that saved us a great deal of time. Rather than entering through a series of agencies and services that wouldn’t meet our families needs the way we needed them to she helped refine that process. I’ve never forgotten that moment and when 5 Artists 1 Love grew to the point where we could endorse an organization in a meaningful way it had to be Autism Edmonton. Each event we put on has AE present. We hope to facilitate awareness of autism as well as provide fundraising opportunities for the organization. I have seen the vital work Autism Edmonton has provided for families over the years. My own family is now one of those fortunate enough to benefit from there support and resources.
Autism Independent Living Association (AILA) is a non-profit, volunteer run organization that is working towards building an intentional supportive housing community in Edmonton. Autism Edmonton attends monthly meetings to showcase support for this ongoing project.
Winnifred Stewart is dedicated to connecting individuals and their communities. We believe in empowering people and inspiring dreams. Through a variety of programs, individuals can focus on discovering their own desired adventures, and through stories, reflect on the milestones they achieve.
Autism Edmonton and the Sinneave Foundation have been working alongside one another since 2012. The Foundation has funded many Autism Edmonton’s projects as well as provided necessary and meaningful training to Autism Edmonton staff that is shared annually with the Autism Edmonton membership.
Since 2020 Birdies for Kids has been matching donations made to Autism Edmonton up to 50%. Thanks to the commitment of individuals who donate to Autism Edmonton, this has generated an extra $75,000.00 in funding to Autism Edmonton. The Shaw Charity Classic has raised over $76 million and has supported more than 230 charities.
Since 2019 Autism Edmonton and Leading-Edge Physiotherapy have been working together to help provide access to events and attractions across the city for Autism Edmonton members. Leading Edge has provided subsidized entrance fees to the Zoo for over 300 families, has hosted many fundraising events amongst their team and is a champion for autistic individuals in their communities.
HiTEK Urethane has been the Title Sponsor of Autism Edmonton’s Cycle for Autism since 2016. Not only has their commitment helped support the programs and services Autism Edmonton offers but it has directly impacted the lives of autistic individuals and their families in our community. We are fortunate to have them cycling by our side each year!
Autism Edmonton has considered itself lucky to have teamed up with Kenneth Bond and the crew at Fresh Focus Media. Their team is the reason you are navigating our beautiful new website. Apart from designing, creating, and building our new website and software the FFM team has gotten behind many of Autism Edmonton’s initiatives like The Opening Doors for Autism Gala, Wine Survivor, and Who’s Who in the Zoo. Their team believes in giving back to organizations in the communities they serve and having a deep connection with autism made us a right fit for working together.
Autism Edmonton has been a recipient of funds from the Flaman Foundation since 2014. Each year, the Flaman Foundation presents donations to several charities at their Gala and Autism Edmonton has been fortunate to be included in this initiative. With funds received from their donation, Autism Edmonton has gone on to help hundreds of families in the Edmonton Metropolitan Area with service navigation, food insecurity, social supports, and community inclusion.
“Frank Flaman believes that every one of us can make a difference. Someone in need is someone in need, whether they live just down the street or thousands of miles away. The mandate of the Flaman Foundation is to provide basic necessities of life for children and families in need, locally and around the world. That is why we choose to continue supporting the work of Autism Edmonton”
Since 2009 Cameron Development Corporation has been the Presenting Sponsor for Autism Edmonton’s Opening Doors for Autism Gala & Auction. This partnership has been instrumental in the success Autism Edmonton has seen over the past 13 years as Cameron Corporation and the Naqvi family have funded many initiatives from food insecurity, opportunities for autistic youth and adults, social supports, and community inclusion. Though the Gala is the largest financial impact their support does not end there. Throughout the year they involve Autism Edmonton in many other fundraising opportunities they host. The partnership Autism Edmonton holds with Cameron Developments and the Naqvi family is incredibly special and their impact is seen throughout our community. Autism Edmonton is so proud to continue growing this partnership and is thankful for the affect Cameron Developments has had on the autistic community.
Since 2021 Bayshore has been helping support Autism Edmonton in many ways. Bayshore has helped to fund inclusive and sensory friendly opportunities, they have volunteered their time at several events and fundraising opportunities and has handed out over 300 free swag bags and sensory toys to our membership at the Who’s Who in the Zoo event. We are fortunate for their dedication to creating an accepting and inclusive community and are proud to be partnering with them on many more initiatives.
Al-Terra has been supporting initiatives with Autism Edmonton since 2018. Since their initial fundraising campaign, Al-Terra has returned each year to help support Community Events such as our Cycle for Autism Edmonton and our private Who’s Who in the Zoo.
“We enjoy continuing our support to Autism Edmonton because of the local impact Autism Edmonton makes to better the lives of people with autism in the Edmonton area. In addition, there are members of our team that have friends or family that have autism and we understand and appreciate the importance of Autism Edmonton’s efforts to support and to build awareness for people with autism.”
We partner with our local school boards to provide training, resources and supports for autistic students, teachers and support workers.
The ARC Graduate Student Award is given out to support individuals conducting graduate research in any field related to the autism spectrum disorder. These scholarships are jointly funded by Autism Edmonton and the Autism Research Centre at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (affiliated with Alberta Health Services and the University of Alberta). Autism Edmonton is happy to support this initiative.
The word “senior” is more difficult than ever to define. We each age uniquely. We have different needs and interests. The Sage Centre looks at the whole person. Their programs and services are designed to address individual needs and build on personal strengths. Autism Edmonton is working with Sage to ensure we are doing the best we can to support autistic individuals throughout their lifespan.
Inclusion Alberta is a family-based, non-profit federation that advocates on behalf of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. They share a dream, with their partners and allies, where children and adults are valued, participating, and welcomed community members. Autism Edmonton and Inclusion Alberta work together in many different facets, including many advocacy endeavours.
ACT works with both autistic youth and employer-partners. The Autism CanTech! program supports the development of inclusive and accessible workplaces and removes barriers for autistic professionals to get employed. Autism Edmonton supports students from this program through paid internships as well as supports program development through an advisory role.
The Edmonton Food Bank are the stewards in the collection of surplus and donated food for the effective distribution, free of charge, to people in need in our community. At Autism Edmonton, our pantry program partners with them to assist with food security for our autistic membership in a safe, sensory friendly and understanding environment.
CASDA is committed to ensuring the creation and implementation of a comprehensive National Autism Strategy that addresses critical gaps in funding and policies, which are preventing Autistic individuals and their families from exercising their equal rights as Canadians. As a partner of this initiative, Autism Edmonton supports the vision and work CASDA is bringing to Canadians.
Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) researchers collaborate with community, industry, government, and non-profit partners to develop and implement innovative solutions and services with the potential to improve the lives of children living with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. This collaborative effort is providing health care professionals, policy makers, caregivers and families with tools and information to promote earlier identification, better treatment, and optimal outcomes for children today and in the future.
Autism Calgary is our sister association in Calgary and area. They preform many of the same functions as Autism Edmonton and are an important partner in both resources and education, as well as provincial work and collaborations.
Autism Alberta’s Alliance is an initiative of Autism Society Alberta bringing together stakeholders from a diversity of sectors: education, employment supports, health professionals, researchers, housing, intervention specialists, sports/recreation, parents, self-advocates, and others. In November 2017, the Alliance hosted it’s first stakeholder engagement in Red Deer and the vision for the alliance came to life.
The Autism Alberta’s Alliance is a collaboration. A knowledge hub. An advocate. An educator. It speaks with a unified voice to raise awareness about autism, cultivate acceptance and foster accommodation across the lifespan and across all areas of Alberta in order to enhance the lives of individuals and families with autism.
Autism Edmonton is part of the Glenrose Hub team that utilizes the ECHO Autism Model to mentor and guide community practitioners, educators, and advocates, creating local expertise and increasing access for individuals with autism and their families. We work together to equip all communities to care for and support individuals with autism and their families through best practices, regardless of geographic location.
Board Members – Autism Edmonton works closely with ASA to discuss the future of autism supports in Alberta. Most recently collaborating to create the FRC Network throughout the province.
Family Resource Centres – Autism Edmonton is part of the Autism Alberta Family Resource Centres. We work alongside the Family Resource Coordinators, and we provide training and materials to the coordinators as well as free training opportunities for families across the province